Method for making a dispersion

Abstract

The present disclosure relates a method of making a dispersion. Microparticles, nanoparticles and a fluid polymer component are mixed to form a dispersion. A sufficient amount of nanoparticles provides for an increase in material throughput relative to a comparable dispersion that is free of nanoparticles.

1 . A method of making a dispersion, the method comprising:
 mixing microparticles, nanoparticles and a fluid polymer component to form a dispersion, wherein the nanoparticles are present in an amount sufficient to increase material throughput relative to a comparable dispersion that is free of nanoparticles.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are present in an amount sufficient to decrease mixing time relative to a comparable dispersion that is free of nanoparticles. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microparticles are selected from the group consisting of fillers, extenders, ceramic beads, ceramic bubbles, ceramic microspheres, pigments, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microparticles have a median particle size diameter greater than 0.5 micrometer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of silica, titania, alumina, nickel oxide, zirconia, vanadia, ceria, iron oxide, antimony oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, calcium phosphate, calcium hydroxyapatite, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid polymer component is selected from the group consisting of polymeric resins, oligomeric resins, monomers and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid polymer component is a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are surface modified. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are isooctyl functionalized silica nanoparticles. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are dispersed within the microparticles. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the material throughput is increased by at least 5 percent. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the mixing time is decreased by at least 5 percent. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of the nanoparticles to the microparticles is at least 1:100,000. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are present at a concentration of at least 0.00075 weight percent, based on the total weight of the dispersion. 
     
     
         15 . A dispersion comprising microparticles, nanoparticles, and a fluid polymer component, wherein the nanoparticles are present in an amount sufficient to increase material throughput relative to a comparable dispersion that is free of nanoparticles. 
     
     
         16 . The dispersion of  claim 15 , wherein the microparticles comprise pigments. 
     
     
         17 . A composition comprising the dispersion of  claim 15 , further comprising a curable component.